Hate crime arrest made in assault of Asian woman on Astor Place

The NYPD has arrested the suspect wanted in connection with the assault of an Asian woman Sunday morning on Astor Place.

APPREHENDED and charged with a HATE CRIME. @NYPDDetectives @NYPD109Pct @NYPD9Pct https://t.co/dRBgyhxQNw

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 22, 2021

The NYPD said they arrested 27-year-old Erick Deoliveira last evening. He has been charged with a hate crime assault and criminal mischief as a hate crime, per ABC 7. 

According to Gothamist, the man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then tore it up. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into the entrance for the uptown 6. 

A Good Samaritan who chased after Deoliveira told ABC 7 that the suspect "dropped his underwear and showed his genitalia to everyone on the platform."

The 37-year-old victim, who was on her way to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence with her daughter, suffered cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant.

Hate crime assault of Asian woman reported on Astor Place

WANTED for HATE CRIME ASSAULT : On Sunday March 21, 2021 @ 11:37 A.M. in the vicinity of 51 Astor Pl. @nypd9pct during an Anti-Asian Violence Protest , a protester carrying anti violence sign was approached by a male suspect and assaulted . Any info call us @ 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/FBMxOdvqgd

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) March 22, 2021

Updated 3/23: An arrest was made

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for a suspect they say assaulted an Asian woman yesterday morning on Astor Place while she was walking to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence. 

The NYPD released the above video this morning showing the suspect...

Here is part of Gothamist's report:

The latest incident in a surge of attacks on Asian New Yorkers occurred at Astor Place, after an unidentified man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then stomped on it, according to police. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into a nearby subway station. 

The 37-year-old victim suffered a cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant. 

Rita Chan, an East Village resident who saw the aftermath of the confrontation, said the attack happened in full view of the woman's young daughter. "You could see she was just numb. At one point, a woman approached her and gave her a cookie," Chan told Gothamist. "As soon she saw her mom being put on the gurney, that’s when she started crying. It was heartbreaking." 

Gov. Cuomo condemns suspect who left anti-gay graffiti on Avenue A; another message found on Norfolk Street

A follow-up to the earlier post about the anti-gay message spray-painted on the gate of the empty storefront at 11 Avenue A...

The graffiti at 11 Avenue A, which is now under investigation by the @NYPDHateCrimes Task Force, has been cleaned. If you’ve got any information about it or it’s perpetrator, there’s a reward—up to $2500! ☎️ 1-800-577-TIPS or DM @NYPDTips. #YourCityYourCall pic.twitter.com/fFwZD4uTKX

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) August 10, 2019

Earlier today, Gov. Cuomo condemned the hate crime...

In New York we have zero tolerance for this sort of vile and cowardly act of hate. I'm directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist the NYPD with its investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.https://t.co/W9DQYXTKfc

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 10, 2019

Unfortunately, Avenue A wasn't the only place to receive a hateful message ... this is on the east side of Norfolk Street just north of Delancy (h/t @madaecnerwal) ...

Spray-painted message on Avenue A being treated as a hate crime by the NYPD; police ID suspect

--

Find an update here

--

The NYPD is searching for a suspect who spray-painted "Kill the gay away" early Thursday morning on the gate at 11 Avenue A, an empty building between First Street and Second Street. The police have classified this as a hate crime.

🚨WANTED🚨for a Criminal Mischief (Hate Crime) in the vicinity of 11 Avenue A #eastvillage #manhattan @NYPD9Pct On 08/08/19 @ 2:40 AM 💰Reward up to $2500👓Seen him? Know who he is?☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #yourcityyourcall pic.twitter.com/OmnfuEvaM7

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) August 10, 2019

Police described the suspect as white, around 5 feet 6 with curly blond hair. He was wearing a green shirt and carrying a yellow messenger bag.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. There's a reward up to $2,500 for info on this suspect.

And the message is still on the gate as of this morning...